The earlier elevator decisions are made in a new building, the smoother construction and installation go. A shaft can’t be resized once construction starts, so the elevator design is an inseparable part of the building design.
1. Defining the need
The first step is to understand how the building will be used: residential, office or healthcare? How many floors and users? Is step-free access, stretcher or goods transport needed? These questions determine the right cabin size and number of elevators.
2. Choosing capacity and speed
Capacity is the load and number of people the cabin can carry. Six-to-eight-person cabins usually suit residential buildings, while hospitals and commercial buildings need larger ones. Speed depends on the number of floors and expected waiting times.
3. Shaft and door dimensions
Once the cabin size is set, the shaft width and depth, door opening, pit depth and headroom above the top floor are calculated and added to the architectural drawings.
4. With or without a machine room?
In machine-room-less systems the drive sits inside the shaft, so no separate machine room is needed on the roof — a real advantage in buildings with limited space.
5. Drawings and the permit file
The elevator drawings and the technical file needed for the building permit are prepared, in coordination with the architect and structural engineers.
6. Installation planning
As construction progresses, the shaft is checked against the drawings, and the electrical supply and installation schedule are planned.
Common mistakes
- Shaft dimensions changing during construction.
- Too little pit depth or headroom.
- Planning the electrical supply too late.
All of these are avoided by getting the elevator design right from the start. We’d be happy to meet you and your architect to discuss a new project.
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